This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Car stalls when below half a tank of gas. Making sharp right turns causes engine to stall. Car also lurches like it isn't getting fuel properly when going uphill. Fuel pump system has been replaced once.
Fuel system: Vehicle was filled with fuel at a gas station. Driver went to leave, car did not start. Attendant informed driver that fuel was leaking from vehicle. Almost a full tank of fuel dumped onto pavement. Fire department showed up and towed vehicle away. Apparent problem: Fuel hose linkage had come loose and had fallen off from inside the body of the vehicle. Other: Throttle cable breakage in heavy trafic at high rate of speed. Driver meanwhile merging with traffic. Breakage resulting in quick deceleration. Serious accident narrowly avoided. Car was unfortunately out of warranty period, but Ford paid for the repair. Towing charge was not reimbursed.
While driving vehicle stalled. When this occurred vehicle lost power. Also, at 54,000 miles brake light continuously stayed on, even if the brake pedal hasn't been depressed. Recall 03V482000 was issued for fuel system, and recall 00V411000 for the wiring harness. However, this vehicle was not involved in the recalls due to VIN.
The dealership wanted to run a diagnostic test to determine if the engine hesitation was due to the fuel delivery module (FDM) before installing a new FDM. If the FDM was not defective. The dealership would charge the consumer for the diagnostic test.
While driving, the vehicle stalled due to electrical failure. There were no brakes or steering. The vehicle crashed into a tree. Driver dislocated her shoulder and sustained a head injury. The rear wheel bearings was replaced, the fuel filter was replaced
The dealership refused to perform recall 03V482000 until the consumer repairs their engine. The recall symptoms have already occurred which lead to the engine failure. Please provide any additional information.
The consumer received NHTSA recall #03V482000 concerning a fuel delivery problem. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and they refused to honor the recall. The dealer stated a diagnostic was needed to see if the vehicle qualified for the recall.
Numerous problems with Focus. Bought car in 2001. Since the day that I drove off the lot I had squeaky brakes. Took to servicer and was told dust on brakes & it was normal. After three attempts, they changed pads & rotors. Now I hear the squeak again. Car cut off while going up a hill. Was told by the servicer that it happened because the weather had recently gotten hot and it "shocked" the car. Key wouldn't enter the ignition. Had to have the car towed to servicer. Car shuts off if under half a tank. Servicer told me " keep the gas over half a tank". sometimes I smell something burning while heat on in car. On 2 occassions saw smoke coming from the vents while A/C on ( didn't take to servicer for these problems because they never occured again). Today 11/10/03 the check engine light came on and the car started shaking and stalling eventually cutting off. Took to the servicer and explained the problem, without even mentioning the make and model of my car the technician said, " you must have a Focus". no longer under factory warranty and can't afford to pay for these defects that Ford is very much aware of. Also, the car no longer has value. Tried to trade it in before factory warranty ran out last year, and was told car only worth $4,000 while I still owed $10,000, which means I would have had to come up with the $6,000 difference to be free from the car. The car was only 2 yrs old when I tried to trade it in! so, I feel I got ripped off with a lemon that I can't even get rid of. I am seriously considering calling the finance company and voluntarily giving the car back, but then my credit will show a repossession, which is not fair being that the consumers were never told about the history of problems with the Focus before we bought them.
Vehicle lost power and stalled when making long right hand turn around highway on-ramp. The vehicle would not restart for approximately 15 minutes, leaving the car in a very dangerous position, half way in the traffic lane for an exit ramp. This has occurred three other times while under 1/4 tank of gas; however, it recovered didn't stall completely or recovered within a minute or two.
Water leak in my 2000 Ford Focus. Upon reading this website I realize the other problems I've had are similar to this car. Car stalling, fuel gauge sticking, radio going out, carpet being replaced, wiper problems etc. When it rains the water can fill the passenger floorboard 2-3 inches. I've had the leak checked at several different places and so far no one can find the leak. According to this website the dealer can't find the problem either. My car is not under warranty any more, and I was informed if the leaking continues it will damage the "brain" computer or electrical system. If that happens and I have to spend a couple thousand to fix, but if the leaking is not found it will just happen again. I feel this car is unsafe and should have a recall. Also, I have not received notice of all the recalls that pertains to this car. I have received only one pertaining to the back real wheel bearing, which was replaced at dealer. But I see that there have been others. Why was I not notified?
The car stalls in turns while downshifting; going up hills and at highway speeds. It begins hesitation while accelerating; and after several hesitations it will stall out much like it is running out of fuel. The problem began the first year I bought the vehicle and only when the car was running with under half a tank of fuel but now occurs even with a full tank. Twice I have mentioned it to Ford technicians, twice test results came back negative. The Ford technicians have been unable to locate the problem and the car is no longer a reliable source of transportation.
In the last 6 months I've owned this vehicle I cannot let it go below a quarter tank or the vehicle acts like it's running out of gas. I've replaced the fuel filter and problem still occurs. Dealer wants to charge to tell me whats wrong but I feel this is a defect from Ford as I've researched and found several other complaints that are the same. Hoping for a recall......
While driving vehicle started to leak fuel in the engine, then, vehicle caught on fire. As a result vehicle was totaled. Consumer states Ford Motor Company refuses to tell her what exactly happened. Dealer notified.
Gas mileage is poor on this size veh--motor kicks into neutral while driving at higher speeds. Dealer keeps telling me there is no problem/cannot duplicate, 4 incidents, this is very freighting. Especially in heavy traffic & cannot get off the road fast. Brakes wear between 16000 and 18000 miles with normal driving. The motor belt had to be replaced at 22000 miles. This never happened so soon with any vehicle I have ever owned. Repairs and services are very expensive, many safety recalls and product warnings that take time to repair. The dealer has a problem making sure the parts are available when I make an appointment. The wheel bearings have been replaced several times and sound like they may be going bad again! I do not feel safe in this vehicle. What if something fails while myself or my family are in this vehicle. This vehicle has depreciated at such a drastic rate, that I would be wise to trade it for another vehicle. I feel it is in direct relation to all the safety issues with this vehicle. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**763169
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- South Williamsport, PA, USA